Yoel Romero dispatched Lyoto Machida at UFC Fight Night 70, and Ronaldo Souza could again be booked against the American Top Team star.
Romero finished the former light heavyweight champion with vicious elbows in the third round of Saturday’s main event in Florida, improving to 6-0 with five knockout victories under the UFC banner.
“Jacare” and Romero were booked to fight at UFC 184 and UFC on FOX 15, but both fights were called off due to injuries. Souza’s manager, who suggested that the Brazilian middleweight faced the winner of Machida vs. Romero after he got passed over for a shot at the title, leaves the door open for bout with the Cuban wrestler.
“As far as next opponent, it can be Weidman, Rockhold or Romero,” Faria told MMAFighting.com. “All I can say Jacare will be the next UFC middleweight champion.”
The UFC has yet to announce a date for the next title fight in the middleweight division featuring 185-pound champion Chris Weidman against former Strikeforce titleholder Luke Rockhold, but Faria guarantees “Jacare” will be ready to get back in action this fall.
“He is back on training,” Faria said, “and he will be ready to go by September.”